Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Senate Transportation Committee recently approved an amended version of Governor Bill Haslam’s $355 million gas tax increase. The updated version includes a small tax relief for veterans which would exempt them from paying property taxes under certain circumstances, but would not protect them from the impact of the massive gas tax hike.
Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) Executive Director Mark Lucas issued the following statement:
“The politicians pushing for this gas tax increase know that it’s unpopular, so they’ve resorted to using veterans as pawns to push their big government agenda. Pretending that this massive tax hike is good for the military community is an unconscionable move that disrespects those who fought and sacrificed for this country.
“The truth is that this gas tax will hurt families and veterans alike who rely on affordable transportation in the state. Veterans deserve property tax relief, but not as part of a glaringly obvious ploy to increase taxes across the board. We urge the Tennessee legislature to look for ways to cut wasteful government spending instead of approving this disingenuous and costly tax hike.”
If passed, the gas tax increase would have a devastating impact on hardworking Tennessee families and veterans who rely on affordable transportation. Next year, the gas tax would be increased by 4 cents. In each subsequent fiscal year it would increase by 1 cent.
The Tennessee state government is currently sitting on a $2 billion surplus.
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